Martinez delight for Edman

Edman: Returns to full fitness

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Although disappointed with the result against Fulham on Sunday, Roberto Martinez admits that the return of Erik Edman is a 'great bonus' for Wigan.

Having taken the lead through Emmerson Boyce early on the Latics had to make do with a point after Clint Dempsey levelled from the penalty spot shortly before half-time.

However Latics boss Martinez admitted he was pleased with his side's performance and the fact that 30-year-old Edman made his first Premier League start since March 2008, when he ruptured cruciate knee ligaments against Blackburn.

The Swede returned to fitness in January but has found Maynor Figueroa blocking his path to the first-team. However an injury to the Honduran has given Edman a way back in and his manager was pleased with his contribution on Sunday.

"The result was not what we wanted, but overall I was delighted with how we played," Martinez told the Evening Post.

"And Erik's return was a great bonus for us.

"He has been working very hard behind the scenes, and his play showed that he was ready to return.

"Mentally he is very strong, and we just had to protect him a little bit. But I was very pleased to see him back on the pitch and enjoying his football."

Good performance

The Wigan boss added that performances were still more important than results at this stage of the season but with one win in their last five Martinez knows his side need to pick up more points.

"The performance as a whole was what was needed. You are still looking at the performance at this stage of the season," he highlighted.

"You could get three points with a bit of luck, but that could give you the wrong impression.

"I was looking for a reaction after what happened last weekend at Portsmouth, and I got it with the composure we showed and the amount of chances we created."